Internal Changes of Blood Compartment and Heat Distribution in Swamp Buffaloes under Hot Conditions : Comparative Study of Thermo-Regulation in Buffaloes and Friesian Cows

Abstract

From previous studies, there is a strong possibility in buffaloes that the marked increase in blood volume (BV) under hot conditions contributes to heat transportation from the rectum to the skin. The present study was done to clarify changes with environmental temperature on water-shift between blood and extracellular fluid (ECF), heat distribution between the rectum and the skin, and blood flow rates (BFR) at the hind legs (reflecting the skin surface). Four buffaloes and four Friesian cows were successively exposed to three different temperatures of 20°C, 30°C and 35°C. BV and ECF volume were measured with Evans' blue and sodium-thiocyanate dilution methods, respectively. Rectal and subcutaneous (as the skin) temperatures were measured by copper-constantan thermocouples. BFR were measured by a supersonic blood flow meter. With an increase in environmental temperature, skin temperature in buffaloes increased significantly than cows, but rectal temperature was not significantly different between two species. BV, especially plasma compartment, increased significantly in only buffaloes, while ECF volume did not change in both species. BFR increased significantly in buffaloes, but not in cows. From these results, the increase of BV may be caused by water flowing from ECF compartment. The water-shift may induce the increase of BFR and skin temperature. It is suggested in the present study that internal changes of blood compartment in buffaloes contribute to transfer of heat to the skin surface.